Last Friday we talked about how to choose a bathing suit for your body shape. For the second part of that article, it’s time to shop for that perfect bathing suit. I’ll help you find cute and affordable swimwear options for each of the four body types.
For this article, I’ve focused on bikinis only. Why? Because they are not only one of the most versatile swimwear styles, but they are also very classic. While the trendy monokini or tankini may go in and out of style, a cute bikini is always in style. It’s an investment that will last you at least a few summers.
Here are some of my picks for cute bikinis that will flatter your figure and won’t cost a fortune.
Hourglass Body Shape
Ladies with hourglass body shapes can luckily pull off nearly any bikini look. Hourglass figures need to be careful of “mix and match”, though! When you have a well-proportioned body, a mismatched bikini can make you look disproportional – just what you don’t want.
Here are some cute and affordable bikinis that will flatter most hourglass figures:
Product Information (left to right): Heart Print Bikini ($50) – TopShop, Halter Bikini Top ($12.50) and Mix-and-Match Bottom ($12.50) – oldnavy.com, Billabong Eve Triangle Top ($42) and June Side Tie Bottom ($38) – Pacsun.com, Cocoa Stripe Halter Top ($9.99) and Lowrider Bikini ($9.99) – Aeropostale
Triangle Body Shape
The triangle body shape looks most balanced in styles that emphasize the top half and streamline the bottom half. Halter shapes are flattering in triangle body shapes as they create more curves up top, and boy shorts can work on the bottom for extra coverage.
Four cute bikinis for triangle-shaped girls:
Product Information (left to right): String Bikini Top ($12.50) and String Bikini Bottom ($12.50) – oldnavy.com, Color Block Hipster Top ($12.50) and Color Block Hipster Bottom ($12.50) – oldnavy.com, Billabong Isabella Top ($34.99) and Cynthia Bottom ($37.99) – Tilly’s, Rip Curl I Feel The Love Top ($37.99) and Bottom ($33.99) – Tilly’s
Inverted Triangle Body Shape
Ladies with inverted triangle body shapes need extra support on top – that means no bandeaus, tiny triangle tops, or ultra thin fabrics! Inverted triangle shapes can also pull of skimpier bikini bottoms than most women, and should look for styles that draw attention to the bottom half while balancing out the top.
My picks for some budget-friendly bikinis for inverted triangle shapes:
Product Information (left to right): Rip Curl Love N Surf Bikini Top ($30) and Bottom ($28) – Pacsun.com, Push Up Bikini Top ($20) and Ruch Side Bikini Pant ($16) – TopShop, Underwire Bikini Top ($12.50) and Bikini Bottom ($12.50) – oldnavy.com, Halter Bikini Top ($11.95) and Side-Tie Bottom ($11.95) – American Eagle
Rectangular Body Shape
The rectangular body shape can sometimes look boyish, so feminine styles with ties and ruffles are essential to create extra curves and draw the eye to all the right areas. Rectangles don’t need to do the mix and match thing – matching tops and bottoms show off a proportional frame.
Here are some cute bikinis for rectangular-shaped girls:
Product Information (left to right): Plaid Pique String Bikini Top ($12.50) and Bottom ($12.50) – oldnavy.com, Anchor Applique Bikini ($50) – TopShop, Billabong Mya Triangle Top ($39.50) and Darlene Side Tie Bottom ($38) – Pacsun.com, Gingham Bow Pushup Bikini ($50) – TopShop
These are just some examples of adorable and flattering bikinis to get your inspiration going. There are tons of cute options out there right now, and many are even on clearance right this second! Good luck with your bikini shopping and check back soon for more on affordable summer fashion.
How nice! I shall be looking here again when the summer times come (Its currently winter over here in oz xD )…
Yeahhh, I have to agree that this was pretty disappointing. Even between catagories, they all look pretty similar in one way or another.
I do not have a skimpy bikini bod by any standard, and even when I did have a semi-worthy one there was no way I was walking out in public in such a tiny, frilly little thong.
Also, it’d be nice to focus one part of the article for girls that have more uptop – I can say from experience it is impossible to find any top that can hold a 36DDD who is not a plus size and can’t shop in those departments for swimwear.
Lovely bikinis, though I’m surprised you didn’t m,ention other options for covering the bttom half like skirted bottoms, or shorts. Boy-shorts I find often cover more but also excentuate to the fuller bottom area, where as skirted bottoms cover what needs to be covered without making it look larger.
anxiously awaiting the tankini/one-piece article =)
Try everything but water, they have some cute D/DD cup tops. The only drawback is they are more expensive.
Y’all should try modbe. They typically have more modest suits (hence the name). But, they have a really great guide based on body types. And, their suits are pretty cute. Here’s the page for the ‘broad/busty body shape’ : http://www.modbecatalog.com/swimwear/shape-guide/broad-busty
Lol how about for round body shapes? 🙂 I may be your only pregnant reader, and this summer I plan on wearing a bikini and showing off my bump.
I think you’re really missing one of the best trends for summer here: the monokini!!!
It really flatters a ton of shapes, from Paris Hilton skinny to Rihanna curvy.
otherwise a nice article. Thank you
love the fashion kiwi
Thanks Hannah! I just looked on their website, and they have some super cute styles that I think I’m going to have to try on in person, the Betsey Johnson is to die for.
This did say 16 cute BIKINIS. So quit complaining that there was no tankinis or one pieces. Read the title of the article…………
i’v ben lookin @ bikini’s b cus im a thick girl n jus lookin @ other females tht r n shape jus mkes me want 2 get n shape b 4 the summer so i’v ben workin out and eating healthier such as slim fast fruit veggies and i stil eat sum regular things b cus i no im not gonna b on a diet 4 the rest of mi life..!! but im really dedicating miself 2 gettin n shape so wish me luck :)….
I have never been able to find a swimsuit that looks good on me.
I am a large girl; not fat but wide and I have gigantic breasts (they don’t even fit in a L + XL are super hard to find). I hate my breasts and I can never find something that covers them completely.
It has been a life long dilema. At 22 I do not know what to wear a 2 piece is.
I loved this article =) i found it very helpful and I selected some new bikinis following the outlines for my body shape. not only that but some of the bikinis pictured were VERY cute and I went out and tried to find similar ones.
<3 Peace and love.
Kenz – I’ll be doing another post on non-bikini swimwear soon! Just wanted to focus on bikinis first.
but what if you dont have the body for a bikini?? cause i most definitely dont, and i would be freakishly uncomfortable in one in front of other people……
yea… i was actualy a bit disappointed by this =S because i dont have a flat stomach and toned legs and i know u dont want to have a “cover your flaws” type article.. but =D i would really prefer one!
cuz its the fact that some ppl just dont have a hot bod!
i was really looking forward in reading this article. but again…no onepiece, no tankini.. =(
i dont have a bikini body and im really desperate to find a new swimsuit for mine and my friends’ roadtrip next week… *sigh*
IT WAS AN ITSY BITSY TEENY WEENY YELLOW POLKA DOT BIKINI THAT SHE WORE FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY!!!!
LALALALALALALALALA
cool. i have a skinny, boy shaped body and i usually go for either super skimpy string bikinis or athletic-style swim two-pieces. guess ill have to try something girlier and maybe with a push-up top?
I’m naturally skinny, and am a boyish shape (rectangular?). I really want to get a halter top bikini, but does that suite my body shape ?
i agree with girl. stop complaining. it 16 cute bikinis. soooo that wat its going to be get over it
I enjoyed reading your article. I love how you suggest different type of bikinis for different body shapes. It’s really important to know the right bikini for our bodies. Great post!